Rotary scrub brush

ABSTRACT

A non-abrasive rotary scrub brush for cleaning rough or porous surfaces that are susceptible to damage by the use of abrasive or chemical cleaning, such as the non-skid surfaces of boats. The scrub brush consists of a flexible, circular base and a plurality of bristle tufts that are individually attached, extending from the base. The base is flexible and non-marring. Any number of polymers could be used, including a thermoplastic elastomer, thermoplastic polymer, or thermoset polymer to form the base using injection molding. The base consists generally of a first side(top) and a second side(bottom). The top side having a means to attach a drive unit, the bottom side having the bristle tufts extending from it. The bristle tufts can be made from filaments that are produced from natural or synthetic materials. The bristle tufts are positioned in either a random or ordered pattern on the second side.

This Application is for a provisional Utility Patent

This invention was created without any Federally sponsored research ordevelopment funding.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The dilemma of cleaning surfaces such as non-skid on boats has beenaround for many years. Grime, encrusted dirt, and oxidation have alwaysbeen a challenge for boat owners. Some chemical cleaners have beendeveloped to solve this problem, but they may be hazardous to work with,have an undesirable affect on adjacent surfaces, or may be harmful tothe environment. Many types of scrub brushes have been manufactured,both hand held and pole mounted, that can be used to clean boats. Whilesome of these brushes may accomplish the cleaning of non-skid, theamount of physical effort required often prohibits their use on largeareas. There are some industrial grade rotary brushes available, butthey are either too large, abrasive, or do not have a high enoughbristle filament density to effect a thorough cleaning.

One example of such a brush is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,698,057,“Scrub brush with integral handle,” (Varga et al.) In Varga et al., apole-mounted brush is disclosed.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,081,958, “Scrub brush having knuckle protector” (VanStaagen), discloses a scrub brush that is typical of the hand held styleof scrub brush available.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,438,728, “Rotary Brush with segmented fiber sections,”(Kubes et al.), discloses a rotary brush assembly, particularly a rotarybrush used in conjunction with floor maintenance machines.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,431,971, “Abrasive Brush,” (Nagafuchi et al.), disclosesyet another abrasive rotary brush.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,436, “Molded Brush,” (Johnson et al.), discloses arotary brush, particularly the unitary molding of a brush body with itsbristles. Also revealed is the inclusion of abrasive particles in thebristles. Also disclosed by Johnson is a bristle density of about 5 to30 bristles/cm².

U.S. Pat. No. 6,440,557, “Brush Filaments,” (Naghibi et al.), disclosesbrush filaments in a variety of shapes and designs that can beincorporated into a brush to improve performance.

It is seen that there is a need to provide scrub brush that is capableof cleaning large areas, can be attached to a portable drive unit, has adense bristle filament count, and has a backing that does not marfiberglass, gelcoat, or other adjacent surfaces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention entails a scrub brush that includes a base, ameans to attach the brush to a portable drive unit on the top, and aplurality of bristle filaments extending down from the bottom, or thebottom and edge. In one embodiment, the top side of the base has athreaded hole, or threaded insert, to attach to a drive unit. In anotherembodiment the top side has a threaded stud. In yet another embodiment,the top side may be generally flat and attached to the drive unit usinga “hook and loop” type fastener.

One aspect of the present invention is a base that is either made outof, or covered with a material that will not mar adjacent surfaces.

Another aspect of the present invention is the use of pre-manufacturedbristle filaments.

Another aspect of the present invention is that the bristle filamentsare arraigned in tufts that contain multiple filaments.

Another aspect of the present invention, the bristle tufts are insertedinto a previously molded base. The attachment means of the bristle tuftsto the base is either mechanical (i.e. staples), adhesives (i.e. glue),or friction.

Another aspect of the present invention the previously made bristletufts are inserted into the base mold before the base unit is created,thus creating a “molded in” bristle tuft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of the rotary scrub brush.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective of the first embodiment of the rotary scrubbrush.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the base in the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the base in another embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the base in yet another embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a bottom elevation of the base showing one pattern of bristletuft mounting holes.

FIG. 7 is a bottom elevation of the rotary scrub brush after the bristletufts have been inserted.

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of the bristle tufts and mounting holesin the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a side sectional view of the bristle tufts and mounting holesin another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

As previously described, the present invention is a rotary scrub brush,which is generally denoted in the drawings as 11. Scrub brush 11includes a base 12, and bristle filaments 13, extending from the base 12as shown in FIG. 1.

The Base:

It is preferred that base 12 have a diameter of between 5.08 to 25.4 cm(2.0 to 10.0 inches), different sizes may be produced for differentneeds.

The base 12 should be molded from a material that is pliable andnon-marring, preferably a type of thermoplastic elastomer usinginjection molding. A person knowledgeable in the art will be able tobetter determine the appropriate material.

The base 12 will have a means to attach the scrub brush 11 to a driveunit on the top side as shown in FIG. 2. In the preferred embodimentbase 12 would have a threaded hole 14, as shown in FIG. 3. This threadedhole 14 could be achieved by means of a molded in insert. In anotherembodiment, base 12 would have a threaded post 15 as shown in FIG. 4. Inyet another embodiment base 12 would have a generally flat top 16 toallow the use of a “hook and loop” type of fastener as shown in FIG. 5.

In the preferred embodiment the bottom side of the base 12 will haveguide holes 17, as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 8., to accommodate thebristle tufts 18. In another embodiment the guide holes 17 may extend upthe sides of base 12 as shown in FIG. 9. The guide holes may be arrangedin a random or patterned order. The guide holes 17 may be drilled afterbase 12 is molded, or an injection mold might contain the guide holes17.

The Bristles:

The bottom side of base 12 will have bristle filaments 13 extending fromit as shown in FIG. 1. The bristle filaments will be arranged intobristle tufts 18. The bristle tufts 18 are inserted into guide holes 17in the bottom side of base 12 to form the working surface as shown inFIG. 7. The density of the bristle filaments 13 should be 35 to 500filaments per cm² (225 to 3225 filaments per in²). The bristle filaments13 can be made from a plastic or polymer material, metal, wood, or anatural fiber, or from a combination thereof, a person knowledgeable inthe art could determine the best material for a specific application.The bristle filaments 13 may be straight, crimped, or one of manydesigns that are available from sources such as DuPont as revealed inU.S. Pat. No. 6,440,557. The length of bristle tufts 18 can varydepending on the performance of the scrub brush desired. The bristletufts 18 may be attached to the base 12 by mechanical means such as astaple, using some type of adhesive, or by using a small pilot hole 17and letting friction hold the bristle tuft 18 in place.

The present invention has now been described with reference to severalembodiments thereof. The foregoing detailed descriptions and exampleshave been given for the clarity of understanding only. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that changes can be made in theembodiments described without departing from the scope of the invention

1. A non-abrasive rotary scrub brush to assist with cleaning surfaces,such as, but not limited to, the non-skid finishes of boats, withoutcausing damage to said surface, comprising: a generally circular basehaving a top side and a bottom side, the top side being generally flat,or gently curved, the bottom side being generally flat, providing themounting surface for the bristle tufts.
 2. The rotary scrub brush ofclaim 1 wherein the base is molded from, or coated with, a non-marringmaterial such as thermoplastic elastomer, or other material thatprovides similar properties, to avoid damage to adjacent surfaces duringuse.
 3. The rotary scrub brush of claim 1 wherein the base has adiameter from 2.0 to 10.0 inches (5.08 to 25.4 cm).
 4. The rotary scrubbrush of claim 1 wherein the base has a means to attach said brush to adrive device on the top side.
 5. The rotary scrub brush of claim 1wherein the base has bristle tufts attached to and extending from thebottom side.
 6. The rotary scrub brush of claim 1 wherein the base hasbristle tufts attached to and extending from the bottom side and outsideedge.
 7. The rotary scrub brush of claim 1 wherein the bristle tufts areinserted into said base after said base is molded.
 8. The rotary scrubbrush of claim 1 wherein the bristle tufts are attached by mechanicalmeans, adhesive, or friction.
 9. The rotary scrub brush of claim 1wherein the bristle tufts are inserted into the mold of said base andare enjoined during the molding process.
 10. The rotary scrub brush ofclaim 1 wherein the bristle tuft filaments are straight.
 11. The rotaryscrub brush of claim 1 wherein the bristle tuft filaments are crimped.12. The rotary scrub brush of claim 1 wherein the bristle tuft filamentshave a random or patterned shape formed into them.
 13. The rotary scrubbrush of claim 1 wherein the filaments are made from a plastic orpolymer material, metal, wood, or a natural fiber, or from a combinationthereof.
 14. The rotary scrub brush of claim 1 wherein the bristlefilaments have a density of approximately 225 to 3225 filaments per in²(35 to 500 filaments per cm²).
 15. The rotary scrub brush of claim 1wherein the bristle tufts are arraigned in a random or patterned order.